MATRIXSYNTH: Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

MFOS Sound Lab Ultimate

via this auction
"This unit uses a 12VAC wallwart (included). Come with 12 banana patch cables. Features an Auxillary panel for pitch Gate trigger and modulation control utilizing the 1/4inch patch jack standard of most modular systems. This is a very good sounding and affordable battery of synth power as a stand alone unit or a powerful addition to any modular system. The synth can stand alone without a controller with free running oscillators. Very nice ambient and melodic beats can be attained in this configuration alone.

Features:
# Three Musically Accurate VCOs (sawtooth and variable width rectangular wave forms, pulse width modulation, hard-sync, log and linear CV inputs)
# VCOs provide plenty of tracking range. About 14 octaves. Very acurate pitch control with no drift; uses Tempco tempurture compensating resistors to compenate for tempurature drift.
# White Noise Generator: 3 outputs, one internal through the amp and 2 patchable outputs.

# Active Mixer (for VCOs, noise and external input) 1/4inch external input for routing other instruments through the VCA and VCF on the aux panel.
# Voltage Controlled LP Filter (12db/Oct doubles as a sine wave oscillator) with internal AR and LFO modulation and two modulation inputs, one 1/4inch input on aux panel.
# Voltage Controlled Amplifier (log response) with internal AR and LFO modulation and two modulation inputs on front, one 1/4inch input on aux panel.

# Attack Release Envelope Generator with short to very long attack release times and trigger/gate selection; inernally routed to filter and amp, 2 external outputs, 1 gate/trigger input on front panel and one 1/4inch input on aux panel.
# Two Low Frequency Oscillators (square, ramp, tri and sawtooth waveforms) with 2 external outputs each. LFO1 routes internally to modulate the VCF as well. LFO2 routes internally to modulate the VCA as well. Very short to really long frequency adjustment. Indicator LEDs
# Repeat Gate Generator (doubles as another square wave LFO) with two gate outputs. Indicator LED
# Sample & Hold (with variable sample rate and glide) 1 sampling input, 3 outputs and 1 trigger output. Indicator LED
# Attenuator Bank (for an infinite variety of modulation patches)
# Patch Panel Design (provides infinitely variable combinations of sounds)"

IMG_1115m2_1314

flickr by Rasidel Slika

"Korg Triton detail

abstract"

Studio

flickr by Andez Flamenco

Roland VSynth

Robosynth's Modulus

Primarily MFOS and PAiA. You can see the complete module list at Robosynth. A bit steampunk.

sdd

YouTube via Vtolus

Iasos - playing "Splash Happy" on 2 keyboards

video upload by IasosIasos

Anyone know what he's playing?
"This was video-taped MANY years ago. I was performing along to one of the dance pieces on my tropical dance album - "Bora Bora 2000". Great fun! Enjoy! Iasos website = iasos..."

No synths in the following but it does sound synthetic. And of course the title...

CLICK FOR MORE »

Buchla 291 BPF

flickr by ...photon...
(click for more)

steampunk

SunVox: synth controllers

YouTube via NightRadio2007
"Changing the filter's controller (cut-off frequency) from the pattern"

You can find SunVox on iTunes here:

SunVox Sampler: how to make voice with loop

"In this tutorial we will load sample of the human voice from WAV-file, and then add loop, volume envelope and nice vibrato effect."

SunVox SpectraVoice: four harmonics

"Little tutorial about the SpectraVoice synthesizer in SunVox"

How to create "8bit tune" in SunVox

SunVox: trackers basics

"Another SunVox tutorial: simple generator, flagner, kicker, pattern creation, icon drawing."

North Korea to Make Synth / Groovebox

via Robert:
"From the official news site of the DPRK"

" Electronic Musical Instruments Manufactured
Pyongyang, August 3 (KCNA) -- The Music and Video Electronics J. V. C. of the DPRK has recently produced electronic piano Sobaeksu and electronic organ Jangjasan for popular use, which have Korean rhythms embedded in their memories.

The electronic musical instruments to which digital sound technology was applied can be used for early musical education and dissemination of popular songs. It is also applicable to creating and editing musical pieces, connected to computer.

Sobaeksu has 42 kinds of rhythms including 14 Korean ones, 128 kinds of MIDI standard tones and 61 kinds of percussion instrumental tones in its memory.

Several famous Korean songs including "Native Home Covered with White Snow" are recorded in its memory, too.

It can be used in general musical education including sound detection, because it gives clear and correct tones with the help of the PCM digital sound source based on extra-large integration circuit.

Stored in Jangjasan are 33 children's songs, 47 kinds of rhythms including 14 Korean ones, 136 MIDI standard tones and 61 percussion instrumental tones.

As children can practice music on the basis of the musical pieces embedded in it, it greatly helps children learning music.

The musical instruments are good for establishing the Juche character and the national character in the musical education."

Necros - Waldorf Largo and Stylus RMX Drums

http://www.trippler.net/files/largo/necros.mp3 via http://www.trippler.net.

JR Hexatone Pro

via Amidio, makers of Noise.io

"The Future Is Now!

We have joined with the world-renowned keyboard wizard Jordan Rudess of Dream Theater to produce a groundbreaking app that simply blows away!

Imagine a 6-directional drum machine/rhythm sequencer where only your imagination is the limit. Every sequence can be totally chaotic, random, or strict and controlled. Hexatone is capable of producing constantly changing, insanely addictive rhythms. You only choose the best and then export them to Intua Beatmaker / desktop DAW via the built-in Wi-Fi server. "

Available on iTunes here:

Update:

JR Hexatone has been released!

YouTube via JCRUDESS
"This is the first Jordan Rudess official app for the iphone and ipod touch.
Imagine a 6-directional drum machine/rhythm sequencer where only your imagination is the limit. Every sequence can be totally chaotic, random, or strict and controlled. Hexatone is capable of producing constantly changing, insanely addictive rhythms."

Introducing Hexatone

YouTube via rlainhart

"Jordan Rudess introduces JR Hexatone Pro for the iPhone, a next-generation 6-directional loop generation tool that uses artificial intelligence and advanced randomization algorithms to produce constantly changing sonic structures. The app is capable of creating many type of drum loops, melodic sequences or rhythm patterns, thanks to its ability to load custom user samples and modify them in realtime. Users can also engage built-in Stutter or Chorus effects and control them with the iPhone's accelerometer."

Basic Hexatone Programming

YouTube via rlainhart
"Jordan Rudess demonstrates some basic techniques for programming Hexatone, a next-generation 6-directional loop generation tool that uses artificial intelligence and advanced randomization algorithms to produce constantly changing sonic structures."

JR Hexatone Pro - Factory presets

DSC_5305

flickr by making_sound

"More soon at makingsound.free.fr"

Concertinome

YouTube via materialvision
"the Concertinome is a custom made instrument combining the concertina accordion with the monome style keyboard and electronic air pressure sensors. It was made by Espen Sommer Eide 2009 and demonstrated in this concert at Visningsrommet USF, Bergen, Norway."

Laser + Sound test-0

YouTube via daito. You might remember daito from these videos (scroll)
"* Alvaro Cassinelli: concept, software and hardware development
* Daito Manabe: sound concept and sound generatio
* Kuribara Yusaku: latest software development including contour
tracking and interface
* Stephane Perrin: participated in early development of the smart
laser scanner technology used for tracking."
heart "cool laser pattern sound test 1"

MF-104Z Analog Delay Spillover Mod

"Bypass the delay without killing existing echoes with this "must-have" modification for the MF-104Z Analog Delay. Includes a switch for enabling and disabling Spillover Mode.

Imagine playing an echo-filled chorus, then switching back to playing a dry sound for the verse, all while your echoes naturally decay, or create infinitely repeating echo soundscapes then solo over them with echo-free.

This modification is compatible with and can be performed on all versions of the MF-104."

Available at the Moog Music Modifications page where you'll find more.

You can find a video of this particular mod here.

Warrior Synth

via an anonymous reader:

"I'm not sure how much you know or don't know about miniature wargaming, but there are fanatics that model and paint these little miniature figures to ILM-type quality. This is not one of those, but he DID model a Triton Extreme 76 for his little Tyranid band:" [link to more]

Moog Voyager Synthesizer 50th Anniversary Edition

via this auction

"Extremely Rare Moog Voyager synthesizer in perfect working order. Housed in a maple wood cabinet with blue LED's. Anniversary insignia is displayed on the front digital display, below the touchpad, on the back panel, etc. Serial on the back reads AE0005. There were only 10-15 Voyagers made in this configuration. Retailed for $3500. Sold out since 2004."

CLICK FOR MORE »

HardSid4U Studio Edition Sid Synthesizer

via this auction

"The HardSID 4U is the most powerful SID synthesizer since the legendary C64!

* Two CPUs and main memory

* USB connection (compatible with both 2.0 & 1.1)

* Isochronous USB endpoint for low-latency audio
* VSTi interface with 8000Hz update rate on all SID registers (free)
* Wave-in VSTi pin for routing 8000Hz signals to any registers (example: playing other VSTi's sound on the volume register)
* Full automation of all VSTi parameters
* Superior sound quality (..it is a HardSID!)
* Support for up to four SID chips (6581/8580/6582 in any combination)
* Updateable firmware over USB
* Microsoft Vista compatible (drivers for Win2000/XP/Vista)

..and if you're a C64 fan
* Cycle-accurate playback of your favorite SID tunes
* Digitized sound + high-speed playback with low CPU utilization
* Seamless playback of .sid tunes while you work on your PC by providing a huge playback buffer for non-VSTi applications

The HardSID 4U Studio Edition

* Full physical separation of the SIDs from the USB driven circuits
* 100% elimination of EMI (Electromagnetic interference) noise that may come from your PC via USB

Many PC parts (sometimes the USB controller itself) are generating electromagnetic interference (EMI) which travels through the USB cable into your USB Audio device (HardSID 4U in this case). Even if you use a cable with built-in EMI suppression some of the noise will work its way through to your audio device. So, if any part in your PC isn't properly electromagnetically shielded, the EMI noise will be audible when low level audio is played. EMI noise can not be perfectly removed by any suppression method except by expensive physical separation of circuits connected to the PC from the audio circuits.
Suppressed EMI noise is still perfectly acceptable for hobby usage, but if you're planning to record your work/art in studio quality, you should consider going for the HardSID 4U Studio Edition, since it physically separates your audio circuits from the ones connected to your PC. We're using expensive technologies to replace direct electrical contacts between the PC driven circuits and the audio circuits.

Connectors
* Four mono dry outputs for the best sound quality (2x stereo jacks)
* Mixed output for the easiest usage (1x stereo jack - mono signal)
* Four mono inputs for filtering external sources with SID filters (2x stereo jacks)
* USB connector for connecting the unit to a desktop PC or a Notebook
* DC-in connector for connecting the power supply (1A@12VDC)

The VSTi interface for your HardSID 4U
* 8000Hz update rate on all SID registers. This is not a dumb MIDI control interface!
* Wave-in VSTi pin for routing 8000Hz signals to any SID registers. Example: playing another VSTi's sound on the volume register (drum sampler, guitar synth, anything...)! No other SID synth can do this!
* Full automation of all VSTi parameters in your VST host
* Advanced modulation for each oscillator (3x for each SID):
o 8x8 Modulation Matrix with selectable sources, targets and amount (-100% to 100%)
o 8 Modulation Source Combiners for advanced modulation
o 4 LFOs
o 4 Envelopes
o Table editor for value sequencing at up to 8000Hz speed
* Selectable filter curve for driving the famous analog SID filters (logarithmic/linear for the 8580/6581)
* Up to four VSTi instances can run simultaneously (one for each SID)"

DAFT PUNK - DA FUNK performed on CASIO SK5

YouTube via drbenway. some cool Casio ads in this one.
"Hi,
All samples come from the original track, except the funkylead.
I used the loop effect on the bass drum sample.
The funkylead was sampled trought the mic input, to add a pretty lo-fi distortion.

ENJOY!"

Beat Thang - the Future of Multi-Touch Synths?

Comments are coming in as usual in this Beat Thang post. I know some of you will roll your eyes when you read the title of this put, but think about it for a sec.

When I first saw the virtual instrument version of Beat Thang, I wondered how ergonomic it might be with a mouse. It reminded me of why I prefer hardware. I then remembered Windows 7 with multi-touch support is just around the corner and there's rumor Apple will be coming out with a tablet by end of this year.

Think about it. With a tablet slate device we will be one step closer to software synths being actual dedicated harware synths. Except... they will be more customizable, you will be able to have multiple synths per hardware, and... battery power.

This isn't a new concept and tablets are available now, but they are not yet ubiquitous and multi-touch technology really is just beginning. It will be interesting to see what sort of impact tablets have on the hardware manufacturers. When I look at the Beat Kangz Beat Thang, and think of it on that screen, I think of a cool piece of dedicated hardware that I can play anywhere. Think of that in your backpack.

BTW, any photoshop artist out there, feel free to mock up the Beat Thang with a tablet.

New Roland CONNECT Website - New Gear Coming September 1st

"ROLAND TO REVEAL FALL 2009 PRODUCT LINEUP
Worldwide Product-Launch Event Scheduled for September 1, 2009

Los Angeles, CA, August 3, 2009 — Roland Corporation U.S. is pleased to announce an exclusive online launch event, Roland Connect.

On September 1, 2009, all worldwide joint ventures of Roland Corporation will simultaneously announce a new and innovative lineup of musical products via a unique web exhibition at http://www.RolandConnect.com. This coordinated effort across all branches of Roland Corporation, with headquarters in Hamamatsu, Japan, is meant to promote worldwide brand awareness and cohesion across the entire company.

“We are very excited to be part of this global effort to promote Roland’s exciting new lineup of products,” says Dennis Houlihan, President of Roland Corporation U.S. “Customers all over the world will be able to visit one website to learn about all of our new offerings.”

The web exhibition is currently staged at http://www.RolandConnect.com. On September 1, RolandConnect.com will be transformed into an interactive, engaging experience for musicians seeking to learn about the latest Roland products."

Zenhiser Ultra Minimal Beats and Nu Disco Fundamental Kit 01

"Ultra Minimal Beats Hits The Zenhiser Shelves

Brand new to our hugely successful minimal samples catalogue is 'Ultra Minimal Beats'. An outstanding collection of the finest and grooviest minimal drum loops to date. We can't praise these minimal beats and minimal tech beats enough, they are simply fantastic! These chunky, deep, expanding and swing tastic minimal drum loops delve well past all programming corners and venture into a new domain sonic and groove heaven.

Every minimal tech beat within this collection comes as a full drum loop, without kick drum pass and a stripped down version suiting all parts of your minimal productions from your driving main section through to the drop downs and end of bar fills.

All 100% copyright free and cut perfectly for easy drop ins to your sampler or sequencer. This is one minimal beat selection you can not miss, just check out the previews and you'll agree, they are that bloody good !!!

Link: http://www.zenhiser.com/products/Ultra-Minimal-Beats-01.html"

The Nu Disco Fundamental Drum Kit 01

With Zenhiser's drum sounds reaching nearly every part of the clubbing globe we thought it was time to bring you a brand new drum kit from one of our highest profile producers. 'Nu Disco Fundamental Kit 01' delves deep into the nu disco sound with the pre-requisite air of quality only a very few dance drum kits posses.

Over 220 funky, twisted and eclectic nu disco drum sounds ranging from a broad spectrum of superbly compressed kick drum sounds through to an amazing collection of heavily processed percussive drum sounds. It's a drum kit no serious producer should be without and a drum kit in a world of it's own that every producer should own.

This lovebox of nu disco samples is available exclusively from Zenhiser and sits perfectly within the clubbing realm of Cosmic Disco, Italo Disco, Nu Disco & Punk Funk.

Link: http://www.zenhiser.com/products/Nu-Disco-Fundamental-Kit-01.html

Puremagnetik Releases Phazeform Volume 1

"August 3rd, 2009 - Brooklyn, NY

Phazeform for Ableton Live, Kontakt and Logic comes loaded with a captivating library of instruments and phrases based on Casio's classic Phase Distortion technology. Phazeform also contains a comprehensive sound set from the VL-Tone pocket synth/calculator guaranteed to pack your DAW with the sound of Casio synthesis.

Additionally, Phazeform includes a collection of looped phrases from the SK-1 and VL-Tone drum machines, giving Live, Logic and Kontakt users instant access to this unique collection of sounds.

Phazeform Features

• Complete palette of famous Casio Phase Distortion sounds
• Multi-sampled CZ library with advanced DAW integration
• A collection of expertly programmed clips
• Sound set of percussion menus
• Custom Kontakt KSP GUI and native Kontakt effects

System Requirements

• Requires Ableton Live 7/8, Kontakt 3 or Logic 8
• 500 MB of physical RAM
• 600 Megabytes (MB) of free hard disk space

Please visit www.puremagnetik.com for more info."

You might recognize this from this post

Bazille Sneak Preview I

YouTube via UrsHeckmann. Also see this post on Zebra.
"Here's a sneak preview of the first synth inside the upcoming Berlin Modular System. This synth combines FM-Synthesis, Phase Distortion and subtractive in a rack-like appearance. In this video I'm showing teh layout and the basic oscillator functions.

It's nowhere near to be finished but I thought I'd post it anyway."

Bazille Sneak Preview II

"I know this one is boring, but I need to demonstrate the muitiples to some people. Skip to another video for something impressive :oops:"

Bazille Sneak Preview III - Patched Up!

"Here are some early examples for unusual patches. Note that the soundquality here is really bad, but I guess you catch the drift. No fx used of course, just raw output of the synth."

neil's webbly world - Voltage Controlled Dual Sine Very Low Frequency Oscillator

via Neil Johnson on the SDIY list: "I've just finished characterizing my latest module - a dual sine VCLFO based on an SSM2164. One VCLFO produces three sinewave outputs, 120 degrees apart, over a range of around 100Hz down to 12 minutes, and a second auxiliary VCLFO with a diode-shaped single sine output from 300Hz down to around 7 minutes.

By changing the capacitors this could also comfortably work in the audio range, but there is no temp.compensation so I wouldn't recommend it for stable VCO usage. Alternatively, a couple of component changes and this will go down to an hour or more per cycle."

You can find samples and more modules at Neil's Webbly World.
PCBs are available.

Specs on the Voltage Controlled Dual Sine Very Low Frequency Oscillator
" * Main oscillator
o 3 high-purity sine waves
o 120 degees apart - 0°, 120°, 240°
o 12 minutes per cycle up to 170Hz
* Auxiliary oscillator
o Single sinewave output (diode-shaped triangle) - triangle available via component substitution.
o 7 minutes per cycle up to 300Hz

* 100k input impedance
* short-circuit protected output buffers
* output levels ±5V

* operates from regulated ±15V supplies through 0.156" (3.96mm) 4-pin header (compatible with MOTM, Oakley)
* signal pads suitable for HE14 industrial connectors, dual-row 0.1" headers, or direct wire connection

* high quality fibreglass PCB, through-hole plated, soldermask, silkscreen legend, with full ground plane
* 80mm x 80mm (3.15" x 3.15") PCB with 70mm x 70mm (2.75" x 2.75") fixing centres"

Polygons - Live at Whartscape 2009

YouTube via Grox
"the last bit of polygons' set at whartscape 2009 (at the load of fun space on the night of july 12). their music is entirely improvised.

http://www.myspace.com/poly..."

Some synth spotting:
Dual TR-707s
TR-606
Akai VX-600
Moog Source
Roland SH-101
Ekdahl Moisturizer
EH Memory Man
Eventide ModFactor

The Human Comparator CGS in Serge Format

The Human Comparator
(note 10 panels were for sale)
"VCO PANEL INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING MODULES:
2 X CGS48 VCO
1 X CGS01 SUB OSCILLATOR
2 X CGS64 VCA
1 X CGS29 WAVE MULTIPLIER
2 X CGSXX VCS
1 X CGS34 ASR"

"SEQUENCER PANEL INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING MODULES:
1 X CGS59B PROGRAMMER / SEQUENCER
8 X CGS59A PROGRAMMER / SEQUENCER
1 X CGS09 VOLTAGE CONTROLLED DIVIDER
1 x CGS39 QUAD LOGIC GATE
1 X CGS13 GATED COMPARATOR
1 X CGS31 DIGITAL NOISE
1 x CGS36 PULSE DIVIDER"

cgs modular on funkbass!

YouTube via enapa1apa "modular on bass waldorf rack attack on drums, skrittmacher sends drumnotes and gate klock to modular, and the modular patch makes it step back and do some funk!!! Also a waldorf miniworks 4pole on the aux to make it more funky, the filter is trigged on step 4." cgs modular patch

"Modular built by http://www.thehumancomparat... Includes: Topp 281 Quad Function Generator CGS64 CGS38 CGS39 CGS36 CGS59 CGS09 CGS31"

USB reader for SNES game carts

YouTube via JSBasss
"NOTE: Before you ask about writing pirated (or other, but most likely pirated) ROMs to cartridges, please read the FAQ:
http://www.snega2usb.com/wordpress/FAQ

More info on this little website:
http://www.snega2usb.com

To the best of my knowledge, this is the world's first USB interface for Super Nintendo / Super Famicom games.

Note: This is one of the few LEGAL ways of playing a commercial SNES game on an emulator. Just because you own a game cart doesn't mean you are allowed to download the corresponding ROM somewhere."

snega2usb Demo #2: Genesis cartridge and SNES savestates

"This is a video showcasing some of the new features: support for Sega Genesis games and SNES savestates.

You will find that I am having trouble getting two of the games to run (Zelda and Yoshi's Island). These cartridges are in really bad shape; they wouldn't even boot on the console. As always, wearing off the oxide/gunk layer by repeated re-insertion helps. The final version of the snega2usb will come with proper connectors that are made especially for video games.

http://www.snega2usb.com

Frequently Asked Questions:
http://www.snega2usb.com/wordpress/FAQ"

Circuit Bent Casio SA-5 Keyboard - HD

YouTube via carpeteria
"It's not much to look at, but this thing can crank out some serious glitches (and crashes as well). Since it's not incredibly stable, here is a short montage of some interesting sounds (between crashes) that the SA-5 can produce. The pot on the far right is an overload/distortion dial, with corresponding blue LED (the better to blind you with). Enjoy!"